Wire-Mesh Security Fence and Fence Panel

ABSTRACT

A wire-mesh security fence panel and security fence is provided. In at least on example the fence panel includes: a first set of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first and a second end; a second set of substantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the first set on one picket-wire side of the first set; a cross-wire-side connection strip welded across the first end of the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set; and an opposite side connection strip welded across the second end of the first set on the opposite side of the picket-wire side. In one such example each connection strip has an outside edge and each outside edge is equally spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip is welded.

BACKGROUND

In the field of security fences, “cut resistance” and “climb resistance” has led to the use of welded mesh fence. Such fences are made by arranging multiple horizontal lines of wire—spaced apart a small distance—and welding vertical cross wires to the horizontal lines. The result is a mesh. Typical mesh used in security fences is so called “3-5-8” (meaning that the horizontal lines are about 3 inches apart, the cross wires are 0.5 inches, and the wire is 8 gauge). Other dimensions and mesh patterns are known or will occur to those of skill in the art. The wires are welded into a mesh on a variety of welding systems (for example, automatic resistance-mesh welders, such as those available from Entwicklungs- und Verwertungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H. (a.k.a. “EVG”) and Clifford/Ideal Welding Systems). Continuous wire welders and jig welders are used to perform the welding. To prevent the panels from warping, tension is placed on the wires during the welding process. The ends of the panels are typically finished with a cross wire welded across the face of the horizontal like wires.

In practice, welded mesh fences present problems. For example, in a typical installation, the fence posts are installed about 8 feet apart, but the spacing may be very irregular. Likewise, in some applications, or a welded mesh fence may need to be installed on pre-existing chain link posts. Since chain link does not require highly regular spacing, it can be stretched to accommodate significant irregularities. In welded mesh fencing, however, stretching the width of the panel is not possible Further, the hardware typically used to join panels leaves nuts or other parts that are vulnerable to attack on the outside of the fence, reducing the security of the fence. Therefore, there is a need for a wire-mesh fence and a wire-mesh fence panel that gives flexibility in installation with irregularly-spaced posts. There is a separate need for a joining of wire-mesh fence panels that reduces the amount of connection component material that is easily attacked on the outside of the fence.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLES

In at least one example of the invention, a welded wire-mesh fence panel is provided that includes: a first set of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first and a second end; a second set of substantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the first set on one picket-wire side of the first set; a cross-wire-side connection strip welded across the first end of the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set; and an opposite side connection strip welded across the second end of the first set on the opposite side of the picket-wire side. In one such example each connection strip has an outside edge and each outside edge is equally spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip is welded.

In a further example of the invention, a wire-mesh fence is provided that includes: at least two wire-mesh panels. The picket-wire side connection strip of the first panel is connected to the opposite-side connection strip of the second panel, and the first end of the wires of the first set of a first of the panels substantially facing the second end of the wires of a second panel. In at least one such example, a bolt is provided (for example, square shaped and having two ends). Each end is inserted through a hole in a connection strip of the first panel and a hold in a connection strip of the second panel. In some examples, each bolt end is threaded and a nut is applied on each threaded end. In some examples, the holes comprise slots. In still further examples, fence posts are connected at the connection strips. In another example, the holes in the connection strip are threaded to accept fasteners passing through holes in the adjoining connection strip. Still further examples as seen in the attached drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of the invention in which a wire-mesh panel is seen.

FIG. 1A is a detail view of the upper left corner of the wire mesh panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a detail view of the upper right corner of the wire mesh panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is an end on view of the lower left corner of the wire mesh panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1D is an end on view of the lower right corner of the wire mesh panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of the invention in which two wire-mesh panels such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 are spaced apart before joining.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example of the invention, showing a butt-joint of two assembled panels.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of the invention, in which connected panels are mounted to a fence post.

FIG. 5 is a front view of connected panels attached to a fence post.

FIG. 6 is a top view of connected panels attached to a fence post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 an example of a wire-mesh fence panel 100 is seen comprising substantially parallel rail-wires 102, each having a first end 102 a and a second end 102 b. Substantially parallel cross-wires 104 are welded across rail-wires 102 at substantially regular intervals. At each end of the panel 100 a connection strip is welded across the ends of the wires 102. As seen in detail in FIGS. 1A-1D, picket-wire-side connection strip 106 is welded on the picket-wire side 108 of panel 100, and opposite-side connection strip 110 is welded across the ends of the wires 102 on the side opposite the picket-wire side 108 of panel 100

Referring now to the example of FIG. 2, each connection strip 106 and 110 has an outside edge 112 that is spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip is welded. As the two panels 100 a and 100 b are moved together, the ends of the rail-wires face each other; and, if the spacing is regular enough, as seen in the top-view of FIG. 3, this allows a “butt-connection” between the wires of two panels 100 a and 100 b when they are connected together.

Referring again to FIG. 2, slot-holes 116 are provided in each connection strip and are positioned to overlap with the slot-holes of another panel when assembled. Such slots allow for irregular spacing of posts to be accommodated.

Referring again to FIG. 3, in at least one example of the invention, a U-shaped bolt 204 is inserted from the side opposite the picket-wire-side of panels 100 a and 100 b through slots 116 (not shown in FIG. 3), and nuts 210 are applied to the threaded ends of bolt 204. Therefore, it is possible to build an entire fence on which no nuts or cross-wires are available on one side of the fence. When used as the outside of whatever location is to be protected, this increases security; the back of a U-shaped bolt is more difficult to attack than a nut. Other methods of joining panels will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some examples, the overlapping connection strips are attached by bolts 400 (e.g., secure bolts who's heads shear after installation) to threaded posts 300 that have been previously set in the ground. In other examples, the spacing between posts is too irregular and cannot be attached at the connection strips (see FIG. 5). However due to the overlapping connection strips being welded to the ends of the wires, the assembled panels present a uniform barrier that can be attached to irregularly spaced posts with hardware that will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, the following types of connectors are useful to mount joined panels to posts: standard threaded fasteners, threaded tamper proof fasteners, welded studs, rivets, self tapping standard and tamper proof fasteners, direct welding, etc. Referring now to FIG. 6, still another example is seen in which joined panels 601 and 603 are connected by strips 605, which are held together by bolts 606 that are threaded into block 605. The assembled panels are fastened to round posts 615 by clamp member 607 which is secured to block 605 by bolts 609 (held in place by nuts 610 and heads 611.)

In some embodiments, the connection strips 106 and 110 are welded during manufacturing, to the picket-wires of a wire-mesh welding processed panel; in further examples, strips 106 and 110 are welded to the so-called “rail-wires”. In still a further example, strips are welded to more than two sides (e.g. four), allowing panels to be joined in two dimensions. Thus higher fences are enabled from multiple panels of one height.

The materials and sizes of the mesh are known to those of ordinary skill in the field; however, the following have been found to be particularly useful and are preferred:

-   -   12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch         diameter) wire welded into a 3″×5″ mesh.     -   12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4gage (0.225 inch         diameter) wire welded into a 2″×2″ mesh.     -   12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch         diameter) wire welded into a 2″×6″ mesh     -   12 gage (0.120 inch diameter) through 4 gage (0.225 inch         diameter) wire welded into 1″×1″ mesh

Other dimensions and even more irregular spacing of wires may be used without departing from the invention.

The above description is given by way of example only. Other examples of the invention will occur to those reading the current document that are within the scope of the invention—whose scope is not intended to be limited by any statement or specific example given above. The scope of the patent is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire-mesh fence panel comprising: a first set of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first and a second end; a second set of substantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the first set on one picket-wire side of the first set; a cross-wire-side connection strip welded across the first end of the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set; and an opposite side connection strip welded across the second end of the first set on the opposite side of the picket-wire side.
 2. A wire-mesh fence panel as in claim 1, wherein each connection strip has an outside edge and each outside edge is equally spaced from the end of the wires to which the strip is welded.
 3. A wire-mesh fence comprising: at least two wire-mesh panels, each panel comprising: a wire-mesh fence panel comprising: a first set of substantially parallel wires, each wire having a first and a second end, a second set of substantially parallel wires, the second set of wires being welded across the first set on one picket-wire side of the first set, a cross-wire-side connection strip welded across the first end of the first set on the picket-wire side of the first set, and an opposite-side connection strip welded across the second end of the first set on the opposite side of the picket-wire side; the picket-wire side connection strip of the first panel being connected the opposite-side connection strip of the second panel; and the first end of the wires of the first set of a first of the panels substantially facing the second end of the wires of a second panel.
 4. A fence as in claim 3 further comprising a bolt having two ends, each end being inserted through a hole in a connection strip of the first panel and a hole in a connection strip of the second panel.
 5. A fence as in claim 4, wherein each bolt end is threaded and further comprising a nut on each threaded end.
 6. A fence as in claim 5 further comprising posts connected to the connection strips.
 7. A fence as in claim 4, wherein the hole in at least one connection strip comprises a slot. 